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Why Mormons are not Bereans

 


‘I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writer. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors’[1]

Though each Mormon Missionary will own and read a Bible, they have been taught that it is unreliable. Article eight of the LDS faith says:

‘We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly…’ [2]

If you ask the missionaries to show you where the Bible has been translated incorrectly, there are unable to do so. This clearly shows that Mormons, like many caught in cults, just believe, and teach what they are told by their leaders. They don’t check things out for themselves.

Now we must acknowledge that many so-called Bible believing Christians, will also just trust what they are told by their leaders.

It is believed that we can trust those whom God has appointed over us, and so believe there is no need to check what we are being taught.

Be Bereans

I love the fact that the Bible records for us something about the Bereans. In Acts 17 Paul and Silas are in Berea preaching the gospel to the Jews, and their message was being well received. But rather than just accepting what these men of God told them, they deemed it right to check things for themselves. We read:

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

The Bereans were commended (called ‘noble’) because they examined the Scriptures to see if what they were being taught was true.

Mormons and the Bible

Rather than searching the Bible to see if what they are being taught is true, Mormons trust their leaders and their Scriptures (least of which is the Bible).

The real reason why Mormons must doubt the accuracy of the Bible is because the Biblical text proves that Mormonism is a false belief system. Many topics could be considered to prove this, but here I will consider just three.

PLURALITY OF GODS

Mormon Teaching:

‘Three separate personages – Father, Son and Holy Ghost – comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a God, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exist…’[3]

‘After death we continue to learn. Exaltation means godhood, creatorship. ‘As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be.’[4]

Bible Teaching:

To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides himknow therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.’ (Deuteronomy 4:35,39)

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god… Fear not, nor be afraid;  have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:6,8)

Conclusion: The Bible clearly teaches there is only one God, therefore Mormon teaching is false.

JESUS AND LUCIFER ARE BROTHERS

Mormon Teaching:

On first hearing, the doctrine that Lucifer and our Lord, Jesus Christ, are brothers may seem surprising to some—especially to those unacquainted with latter-day revelations. But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers….But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer’s older brother.[5]

Bible Teaching:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.’ (Colossians 1:15-20)

Conclusion: The Bible teaches that Jesus created all things, therefore he cannot be Lucifer’s brother. Jesus created Lucifer. Therefore, Mormonism is false.

 

JOSEPH SMITH – PROPHET OF GOD

Mormon Teaching:

President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. . . . it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, for the coming of the Lord, which was nigh - even fifty six years should wind up the scene.[6]

Bible Teaching:

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or  who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’—  when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

 (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

Conclusion: The Bible teaches that a true prophet of God will never get anything wrong. Joseph Smith made numerous prophecies that failed to come to pass. Therefore, Mormonism is false.

 

‘Because my leaders told me it was true’ will not stand up when we are called to give an account for our life and actions. Friends let’s not be caught out. Let’s check what we are being taught against the infallible, inerrant Word of God – the Bible.

Let’s be noble. Let’s be Bereans.



[1] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. p.327

[2] (Article 8 – LDS Articles of Faith)

[3] Mormon Doctrine – McConkie p.576/577

[4] The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball p.53

[5] Ensign Magazine, p. 25 (June 1986)

[6] History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 182 – Joseph Smith said this in 1835.


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